Flash Movie Review: The Purge
There will always be people in the world who annoy or upset me, but I do not want to see them dead. My first apartment was on the 2nd floor of a six flat apartment building. The neighbor above me played his music extremely loud, to the point where I could feel the beat reverberating through my floor. Though it was annoying, I could deal with it during the day. However, when I was woken out of a sound sleep I went upstairs to speak with him. I was angry but since this was my first time confronting him I decided to take a different tactic. After not hearing me knocking twice, he only answered after I pounded on the door. Introducing myself, I mentioned I had knocked twice before he finally heard me over his music. I then told him if there had been a fire I would have had to leave him because he could not hear me, so could he keep the sound down. Do you think I was too subtle? He got the point of my conversation. In this thriller set in the near future, the government found a different way to achieve peace and prosperity for its citizens. Once a year there was a 12 hour period called The Purge, where all criminal activity would go unpunished. Ethan Hawke (Before Midnight, Sinister) and Lena Headey (Dredd, Game of Thrones-TV) played husband and wife James and Mary Sandin. Living in a gated community with their children Zoey and Charlie, played by Adelaide Kane (Goats, Donner Pass) and Max Burkholder (Daddy Day Care, Friends with Money); they were all set to spend a quiet night at home during The Purge. When an injured man appeared on the closed circuit surveillance cameras from the front of the house, Max decided to help; starting a life or death battle for the entire family. The movie started out well enough, but it never seemed quite sure what kind of story it wanted to tell. This was one of the problems of the film. Was it a making a statement on people’s obsession with violence, the battle for gun controls or a take on the survival of the fittest philosophy; take your pick. It just made a mess of the whole movie, besides the ridiculous choices the characters kept making throughout the film. And could someone tell me why was there a need to wear masks and dress up just to kill someone? Poorly written and acted, you would be better off reading “Lord of the Flies.” There were scenes of blood and violence.
1 3/4 stars
Posted on June 10, 2013, in Fantasy/Sci-Fi and tagged 1 3/4 stars, adelaide kane, crime, drama, ethan hawke, lena headey, max burkholder, science fiction, thriller. Bookmark the permalink. 17 Comments.
This was such an interesting concept. Sadly, too, the trailer gave the entire story away.
I agree, I wish the marketing departments would realize they are ruining the movie viewing experience for the audience. Thank you for your comment.
I try to cover my eyes during the previews, now.
LOL, I totally get it. These days the previews are doing too much to sway the viewers.
Worst film of 2013. Utter garbage. There was no ending as well!!! Well, it ended, but with 0 resoultion, and not in The Strangers way either.
It ranks up at the top, that is for sure. lol Thanks for your comments.
I heard this wasn’t worth buying the ticket; I am glad I didn’t bother going!
Enjoyed your personal account of confrontation. And thx for the tip! Will add to my netflix queue…or is it even worth that? Haha š
Before starting this movie review site I judged movies by whether I wanted to spend the money to see them on the big screen, to rent or wait for cable. Because the movie had a good start I suggest you put it into your queue. Let me know what you think of the movie after viewing it. Thanks for stopping by.
Funny, before I read your review, I don’t think I’ve even seen previews let alone heard of it. Anywho, will add to queue & thx for the tip. š
Haven’t seen this movie yet, but I always enjoy your stories about life. Also, I check your blog now before I see any movie!
Thank you for your sweet comments. Glad you are using my site as a resource in choosing a movie.
I haven’t had any interest in seeing this one, as I don’t “do” horror-type movies. But, I wondered the same thing about the masks, particularly since the trailers I’ve seen made a point of mentioning the Purge was legal …
I follow another blog where he also critiques movies as well. I think your blog and your critiques are much more knowledgeable and polished then his. Your writing style just flows better then his. This was a great post. Both my fiancee and I want to see this movie. Thank you for stopping by my blog, I am glad to have stopped by yours. I am going to follow yours and I look forward to more movie reviews. Thank you again for stopping by Serenity’s Musings! š
Your kind words have touched me; thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed my movie reviews and hopefully I can keep surprising you going forward. Keep posting.
Wish I had read your review first, but my teenage son and his friends “had” to go see it. I agree with your review entirely. The up side for me was the comedic teen comments and dancing to the soundtrack at the end.
I am glad you were able to find something fun while watching this movie. It would be a big help for me if you could rent your son and his friends out for some of the movies I have to endure.